The Scarlet Knights are back on the national stage. Rutgers women's lacrosse has earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, marking their third appearance in six seasons and their first trip to the big dance since 2022. The team will head to College Park, Maryland, where they'll face in-state rival Princeton on Friday, May 8, at 2 p.m. The winner advances to take on the host Terrapins—the No. 3 seed—that Sunday. Catch all the action live on ESPN+.
This postseason berth is a testament to head coach Melissa Lehman's transformative leadership. Under her guidance, Rutgers has reached the NCAA tournament three times in the last six seasons—a remarkable feat for a program that made the tournament only once in the 44 years before her arrival. The Scarlet Knights punched their ticket with a 10-8 overall record, going 4-4 in conference play.
But it's not just the coach making waves. Five Rutgers athletes earned 2026 All-Big Ten honors. Katie Buck was named to the first team, while Caroline Ling secured a second-team spot. The future also looks bright: freshmen Gabby Mariani, Annalisa Messina, and Kate Theofield all landed on the Big Ten All-Freshman team.
The team also shattered several program records this season. Ling tied the single-season points record with 90, becoming just the 29th player in program history to surpass 100 career points. Buck set a new single-season draw control record, while senior captain Lily Dixon etched her name in the record books for both career assists and single-season assists.
These accomplishments are even more impressive given Rutgers' grueling schedule. The Scarlet Knights faced 10 teams ranked in the IWLCA Coaches Poll, including five currently in the top 10. They notched five wins over teams in the RPI Top 40, highlighted by a thrilling 13-12 victory over then-No. 6 Michigan on April 9 in Piscataway.
For Rutgers women's lacrosse, this NCAA tournament run is more than just a ticket—it's a statement. And for fans looking to show their support, there's no better time to gear up in Scarlet Knights apparel as the team chases glory in College Park.